Mundane Antiscia Equation


BlogMathematics of the Celestial SpherePrimary Direction Calculation
Mundane Antiscia Equation

May 8, 2024, 9:10 a.m. Advanced Alexey Borealis 1 min. to read


We are familiar with the antiscion as a point on the ecliptic, a mirror reflection of the planet relative to the 0° Cancer - 0° Capricorn axis.

The antiscion is the intersection of a circle parallel to the celestial equator drawn through the planet.

outer circle line outer circle line outer circle line P Ecliptic A outer circle line

Antiscion of the planet on the ecliptic.

But the situation changes if the planet has a non-zero latitude on the ecliptic. Then the intersection of the circle drawn through the planet will give not one but two antiscia.

outer circle line outer circle line outer circle line P Ecliptic A outer circle line 2 A 1

Two antiscia on the ecliptic.

Moreover, in some cases, as shown in the figure below, there may not be such intersections at all, so a planet with a non-zero latitude may have from zero to two antiscia.

outer circle line outer circle line outer circle line P Ecliptic outer circle line

Planet with no antiscia.

Antiscia Equation

Let's derive an equation to find antiscion's longitude on the ecliptic. From eq. (1) of the ecliptic, it follows that

$$ \sin D = \sin\epsilon \sin\lambda $$

Here

Since no right ascension is specified, this equation is true for any planet with a given $D$, including the antiscion.

outer circle line outer circle line outer circle line P Ecliptic outer circle line ε λ D D a

Longitude $\lambda$ of the antiscion.

The second antiscion's longitude is equal to $180° - \lambda$, i.e., we have

$$\begin{cases} \lambda_1 = \arcsin(\sin D / \sin\epsilon) \\ \lambda_2 = 180° - \lambda_1 \end{cases}$$

According to the equations of ecliptic-equator conversion, we can then convert these coordinates $(\lambda_i, 0)$ to equatorial $(RA_i, D)$ and use them as promittor's coordinate in primary direction..


Alexey Borealis

Alexey Borealis

Master of Science in Physics, Professional astrologer (QHC, DMA). About the author